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Ambush leaves six Ukrainian soldiers dead

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Ukraine says six of its soldiers were killed during an ambush by pro-Russian separatists in the region of Donetsk

SLAVYANSK, Ukraine - Six Ukrainian soldiers were killed and eight wounded on Tuesday when their armored column was ambushed by pro-Russian separatists near Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian defense ministry said.

"Our soldiers were attacked in an ambush. Terrorists attacked our land troops with grenades. The attackers numbered more than 30 people setting an ambush near the river," the ministry added.

Kramatorsk is in the region of Donetsk, which declared independence Monday after holding a “self-rule” referendum instigated by pro-Russian separatists.

Ukraine's interim President Oleksandr Turchynov has said that the referendum has no "legal basis" and that organizers would be "punished,” while the U.S. and the EU said they will not recognize the result of a referendum. However, Russia has said that they will respect the results of the referendum.